UWEC took the opening kick off, went nine plays, 67 yards and took a 7-0 lead just 3:54 into the contest. Bethel went three and out giving the ball back to UWEC. The Blugolds promptly went seven plays, 80 yards in 3:28 and took a 14-0 first quarter lead. But, the ‘Cats defense settled down and held UWEC the next six series without a point.

With 7:14 remaining in the second quarter, the Wildcats offense began to show what many have thought it was capable of doing. Mixing 17 plays, 11 running with 5 passes, the Wildcats got on the board with a one yard Alex Matlock plunge. Sean Fraser booted the extra point and Bethel had cut the UWEC lead to 14-7 at the half.

It looked to be much the same as the second half began with Bethel going three-and-out. The Blugolds began to move down the field, but the defense held on a third and one at the BU 17 forcing a field goal attempt that UWEC missed wide left. Bethel put together another impressive drive to the UWEC two yard line. With second and goal, Mike Nwokiji fumbled the toss from quarterback Troy Watson and the Blugolds recovered at their own eight. The fumble recovery by UWEC sparked the offense.

As the fourth quarter opened the Blugolds continued to drive following the fumble recovery. Facing a third and seven at the Bethel 42, Bethel linebacker Desmond Zollicoffer forced the running back out of bounds after a two yard gain, but a face mask penalty gave UWEC a first down and new life. Then, on third and nine at the BU 24, Blugolds quarterback Kyle Paulson completed a 24 yard pass to David Goodman for the score. With the PAT, UWEC lead 21-7 with 11:50 remaining to play. The Wildcats offense threatened late at the UWEC 27 yard line, but a fourth and six pass fell incomplete with 1:22 left.

Offensively, the Wildcats were held to just 176 total yards. Cordarius Mann led the running attack with 55 yards on 16 carries. Josh Boyd had 42 yards on 12 touches. Matlock had two carries for one yard and a score. Troy Watson was 10-21-0 for 77 yards. Lavendor Jefferies led the receiving corps with five catches for 31 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, William Henry led with nine tackles; one tackle for loss. Wade Vandergriff posted eight stops; two for loss. Antionio Wardlow had six tackles and a force fumble. Alex Hayes also had six tackles.

The road does not get easier for the 0-2 Wildcats. But, they will have an extra week to prepare for the NAIA pre-season #6 Patriots of the University of the Cumberlands. It will be Bethel's third straight road game and is a cross-divisional Mid-South Conference match-up. Last year the Patriots defeated Bethel 22-20 in McKenzie, Tenn. and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs. The Patriots lost in the Semi-Finals to Saint Francis (Ind.) 31-20. The game this year will be in Williamsburg, Ky. on September 19, 2009 at 12:30pm CST. The game can be heard on The Victory 93.7 and on-line at www.bethelatheltics.com.